Job Description

GOAL Sierra Leone

Job Description

Job Summary

General Description of GOAL’s Work in Sierra Leone

GOAL has been present in Sierra Leone since 1999, with an overall aim to contribute to poverty and vulnerability reduction through the implementation of integrated, multi-sectoral interventions, with a primary focus on improving Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent health (RMNCAH) specifically addressing teenage pregnancy. GOAL is also improving rural water supply, urban WASH focusing on faecal sludge management and promoting social inclusion, empowerment, and the promotion of decent work through systems-based programme approaches and community led social and behavioral change. GOAL currently operates in Western Area Urban (Freetown), Kambia, Bombali, Koinadugu, Moyamba and Kenema Districts, with funding from Irish Aid, Charity Water and DFID, and now the Community foundation Ireland for its new blue economy program that is focused on food security and livelihood improvement. 

General Description of the Programme

The Resilience of the Blue Economy: Livelihood Enhancement and Natural Resource Restoration for Coastal Communities of Western rural and Urban programme/project seeks to enhance food security and climate resilience of coastal communities in Sierra Leone through the development of a sustainable small-scale fisheries sector and the conservation of mangroves, as a critical ecosystem and climate-change asset. This program is housed in the blue economy department of GOAL Sierra Leone program and will last for three years. The project targets the Western Area Urban and rural of Sierra Leone, the project has four principal yet interlinked activities which will address the overall aim of limiting the impact of climate change on food security and biodiversity damage, while building community resilience to climate change. The project is designed to be community led, taking a gender-sensitive and youth-centred approach, ensuring that gaps, needs, barriers, and opportunities are identified for women, youth, and vulnerable communities through their direct participation in the project’s activities. This approach builds on the existing capacities, knowledge, and resources, drawing on local and indigenous knowledge wherever possible. To achieve this aim, the project has been designed to improve the food security for communities dependent on small-scale fisheries, whilst also protecting and restoring the mangrove ecosystem.

Overview of the role

The livelihood and governance officer support in the promoting of sustainable development of livelihood provisioning interventions and strategies, community resilience initiatives, and environmental conservation actions in project areas (western rural and urban, Sierra Leone). This position combines expertise in livelihood enhancement, community engagement, and governance to support the holistic well-being of project communities. 

Main responsibilities

• Programme Management

• • Supports the implementation of the GOAL Blue economy, food security and livelihood project in western rural and urban, Sierra Leone. Including oversight of trainings, quality assurance assessments, data collection, and site supervision.
  • Support with the draft development of monthly, quarterly, and annual activity planning and budget reforecasting for the blue economy program in western rural and urban area in line with program broader objectives and targets. 

• Timely submission of blue economy activity reports to Blue economy program manager, or to the coordinator where the Program manager is absent. 

2. Technical support

• Design and implement livelihood enhancement programs to improve the economic stability of project communities.
• Collaborate with local stakeholders to identify sustainable livelihood opportunities that align with the principles of the Blue Economy food security and livelihood component.
• Support in providing training and capacity-building initiatives for community members to enhance their skills and promote entrepreneurship in sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism, agro forestry, and other micro businesses.
• Develop and oversee projects for the restoration and sustainable management of natural resources in project areas.
• Implement strategies for the conservation of marine ecosystems, including mangroves, fisheries, and biodiversity.
• Work closely with environmental experts to assess the impact of livelihood activities on the surrounding ecosystems and recommend mitigation measures.
• Provide technical assistance to blue economy programming within GOAL Sierra Leone as appropriate, especially in the areas of livelihood enhancements and natural resource management and governance. 
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements, best practices, and innovations in blue economy management with respect to livelihood diversification and enhancement for coastal communities. 
• Liaise with the blue economy: program manager, program coordinator and the Program director on programme technical design and implementation that capture well the component of livelihood provisioning and resource governance.

3. Community Engagement:

• Foster strong relationships with local communities, understanding their needs, aspirations, and challenges.
• Organize community consultations and participatory decision-making processes to ensure that project activities are aligned with community priorities.
• Facilitate awareness programs on sustainable practices, environmental conservation, and the importance of the Blue Economy.

4. Governance and Advocacy:

• collaborate with local government authorities and relevant agencies to align project activities with regional development plans.
• Advocate for policies that support sustainable practices, resource conservation, and the well-being of coastal communities.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of governance structures on project outcomes and make recommendations for improvements.

• Relationship Management

• Build good working relationships with other health stakeholders in the district including other NGOs, MFMR, Research institutions, other line ministries, CBOs and donors; and be ready to represent GOAL at relevant district meetings and blue economy forum as required or referred. 

• Strategy development

• Participate in developing plans, programme designs, proposals, and budgets for projects and project extensions in conjunction with the relevant team.

• Monitoring and Evaluation

• With relevant staff, support to develop and implement mechanisms for the collection of key data for programme monitoring and evaluation.
• Assist to check data collected and ensured that data is utilised to direct programme activities.
• Use the power BI as a project management and monitoring tool.
• Document and share success stories and case studies when requested to by line manager. 
• Support program manager to conduct supportive supervision and monitoring, develop a follow up plan that clearly state when & how each issue identified will be addressed which is updated or track on regularly basis. 

• Other

• Mainstream livelihood diversification enhancement approaches, resource conservation and participatory governance. 
• Perform other duties as required by the line manager.

Behaviours

• Ability to facilitate staff delivery of programming. 
• Provide supportive supervision to blue economy team and delegate tasks as appropriate.
• Proactively raise issues and work with line managers to find solutions.

Requirements

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Agriculture, Environmental Science, Natural resources management, Fisheries and aquaculture, Development Studies) or related degree.
• Experience in community development, livelihood enhancement, and natural resource management.
• Strong understanding of livelihood programming and resource governance. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities.
• At least 4 years of relevant field experience with managing staff.
• Proven management experience, including work planning, report writing, monitoring and evaluation, staff management, and project coordination.
• Good report-writing skills; Highly organized.
• Ability to operate under time pressure and meet deadlines, to work independently, and take initiative.
• Good team building, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills and the ability to deal respectfully with people from varied backgrounds.
• Previous experience working in a similar role in an NGO/humanitarian organization is an asset.
• Willingness to work in disadvantaged communities.
• Familiar with using Microsoft Office software packages.
• Excellent English and Krio speaking/writing skills required.

General terms and conditions.

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offers made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Any published closing dates are estimated.  Due to the nature of GOAL’s work we aim to fill vacancies as quickly as possible.  This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right candidate, and this may be before the published closing date.  We would therefore advise interested applicants to apply as early as possible.

If you have these skills and interested in joining our committed and dynamic Livelihood team, please send  your cover letter and up-to-date CV to jobs@sl.goal.ie. on or before 5:30 pm – 15th January, 2024, please  note that a copy of the application letter must be sent to the NGO Desk Officer, Ministry of Labour, New  England or emailed to: employmentdesk71@gmail.com 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview. 

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any  candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:  

1. Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health  and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.  2. Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our  programming area;  
2. Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner. 

I ______________________________ have read, understood and accepted this Job description. 

Name ___________________________  Signature____________________  

Date___________________

Line Manager

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